Tone controller



Nov. 23, 1965 NOBUMITSU HOSHINOMIYA 3,219,746

TONE CONTROLLER Original Filed Feb. 23, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet l INV ENT OR NOBUMITSU HOSH/NOM/WJ Nov. 23, 1965 NOBUMITSU HOSHINOMIYA 3,219,746

TONE CONTROLLER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Feb. 23, 1962 8 9 a a Q L 9 $2 m 2 2 \J m 3 5 m m r. m \M "M W 8 a M wm s 0 5 V l% y 3 r- I 4 4 INVENTOR NOBUM/TSU HOSH/NOM/M United States Patent 3,219,746 TONE CONTROLLER Nohuinitsu Hoshinomiya, Shiznokwken, Japan, assignor to Nippon Gakki Seize Kabushiki Kaisha, Shiznoka-hen, Japan, a corporation of Japan Original application Feb. 23, 1962, Ser. No. 176,176, new Patent No. 3,169,845, dated Dec. 3, 196a. Divided and this application Feb. 12, 1964, Ser. No. 346,368 (Jlairns priority, application Japan, Jan. 3t), 1959, 34/4,132 2 Claims. (Cl. 841-421) This invention relates to a variable resistance and more particularly to a tonality controller for use in an electronic organ, for the purpose of controlling the levels of audio tone signals produced from customarily designed electric circuits consisting of oscillators and tone color filters.

This application is a divisional application of my earlier application, Ser. No. 176,176 filed Feb. 23, 1962, now Patent No. 3,160,845 issued Dec. 8, 1964.

In order to enrich the musical tone, it is preferable that a tonality controller for an electronic organ combine the following functions.

On the one hand, the controller should be adapted for adjusting the level of audio tone signals at any value between Zero and a certain maximum, that is, through a continuously changing level of audio tone signals. By individually adjusting each of signals having various tone colors by means of such a tonality controller, each level of audio tone signals can be changed at will, so that it becomes possible to vary the musical effect by changing the sound intensity of the various tone colors at will. Accordingly, when combining several tone colors simultaneously, a selected loudness for each tone color can be produced. Further, by changing the loudness of each tone color, it also becomes possible to initially maintain a particular tone color loud and the other tone colors soft, and then to gradually increase the intensity of the latter while reducing the initially loud tone color so that it becomes possible to achieve realistic musical effects to duplicate a concert effect of high quality.

On the other hand, the tone controller should be easily manipulated. It should be positioned where it is easily accessible. It should be moved lightly and smoothly, and not produce any sound of manipulation which interferes with the musical performance; and further, a plurality of controllers should be adapted for being manipulated by one hand. By the improvement thus achieved in manipulation, an electronic organ provided with this controller can perform high precision of control of tone color during performance, which is an indispensable function for a musical instrument which is to produce a musical expression of high level. Furthermore, the rapid manipulation of the controllers also permits an instant change of audio tone signal from one level to other level by which any desired tone color may be increased or decreased.

Additionally, the controllers should be disposed such that the performer can see at a glance which tone colors are mixed and in what ratio of intensity they are mixed. In this way the performer can also be visually aware of the ratio of mixture of sound during performance and thereby the ratio of signal level without being influenced by the acoustical features of the room.

Further, in order to make it possible for the performer to approximately determine by feel the position of the controller, the range of operation of the controller is divided into a plurality of settings with a click action between settings. In this way it becomes possible to manipulate the controller without relying upon a visual indication.

As further requirements are simplicity of structure, easy 3,219,746 Patented Nov. 23, 1965 assembly, low cost, compactness, easy Wiring, no idle space produced when assembled in the body of the electronic organ, and easy upkeep by protecting the inner resistance elements from dust.

The tonality controllers for conventionally well known electro-mechanical organs or electronic organs are divided into four systems according to appearance. Two of them are used in pipe-organs and are called stop keys. One is called a tilting tablet type, and the other is called a lever type.

These stop keys merely select whether a tone color is produced or not. Accordingly, in these systems it is not possible to mix various tone colors in desired ratios respectively.

The third system is the draw bar type which serves as a tone color controller for Hammond Organ (U.S. Patent No. 2,583,566). Since this system can change signal level in several steps by pulling the draw bar forward, various ratios of color tone are obtained. However, since the signal level is arranged to change in steps, it cannot be adjusted by the performer in the ratio as desired. Furthermore, in order to manipulate the draw bar, the operators fingers must move in a different direction of movement from that at which they operate the keyboard. Its performance effect therefore is poor. Furthermore, the noise of the manipulation itself is likely to mar the performance.

The fourth system is seen in the Thomas Chord Organ (U.S. Patent No. 2,962,922), which is of the type in which a rotatable knob is provided on a shaft which is approximately vertically positioned. Thereby, the rotation of the knob is transmitted to well known variable resistances so as to change continuously the signal level. Accordingly by use of tone color controllers of this type, various tone colors can be mixed in ratios as desired by the performer. However, when one desires to manipulate it during performance, the rotation of the knob requires the use of two fingers and is inconsistent with the pushing motion used to play the keys of the keyboard. Thus rapid manipulation cannot be obtained. Further, it is not possible for the performer to simultaneously manipulate a plurality of knobs, or to visually perceive during performance at a glance in what ratio various tone colors are mixed or to know by feel the present state of the control related to the variable resistance. Consequently, the performance effect which can be obtained by manipulation during performance is greatly restricted.

It is an object of the present invention to remove the above shortcomings of known tone color controllers and to combine the desired requirements of the tone color controller so that hitherto unobtainable results are obtained.

Accordingly, in the present invention, the tone color controller for an electronic organ is improved as regards manipulation, while at the same time the structure is such as to achieve this result efiiciently merely by the assembling of simple parts.

A further object of the invention is to provide a variable resistance which is of simple construction and can be simply assembled and has the properties of being light in Weight, smooth operating, simple and rapid to manipulate, and which can be operated without changing the direction of movement of the finger which strikes the keyboard in order to facilitate manipulation during performance.

A still further object is to provide a variable resistance having a form which can be disposed so that the mixture of various tone colors can be perceived merely at a glance of the control panel so as to facilitate manipulation of the controls during performance.

A still further object is to provide a variable resistance having mechanism wherein in order to facilitate the ma- 3 nipulation during performance, even when the performers line of sight is directed away from the tone color controller, as for instance, to the keyboard or music notes, the ratio of resistance change can be roughly felt through the reaction transmitted to the hand during manipulation.

A still further object is to provide a variable resistance of a form which can be mounted by a simple operation in a minimum space on a controller board which is properly positioned for performance.

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawing in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an electronic organ showing tone color controllers of the invention as sembled in the organ;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentarily enlarged perspective view of a control panel of the organ showing the tone color controllers;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view through the control panel showing the attachment of a tone color controller to the control panel;

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to that of FIG. 3, with the cover removed;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken on line 55 of FIG. 4;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of rotating arm fixed sliding member;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 7-7 of FIG. 6; and

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 88 of FIG. 5.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, behind manual keyboard is an inclined control panel 1. The angle of inclination is predetermined such that the surface of the control panel 1 is directed approximately perpendicular to the performers line of sight. The performer can transfer his line of sight from the manual keyboard directly onto control panel in a glance.

Further, since the control panel I is positioned directly behind the manual keyboard 0, the performer can instantly move his finger from the manual keyboard to the control panel during a performance to manipulate the levers 2 of the control panel rapidly.

In FIG. 2 it is seen that manipulating lever 2. of the tone color control projects through the open slit 3 provided in control panel ll. At the tip of projecting manipulating lever 2 is provided a knob 4 (FIG. 1). Knob is movable within a certain range as the lever moves through slit 3. Knob 4a is positioned at the upper limit of the range of movement, knob 4b is positioned at the center, and knob 4c is positioned at the lower limit. Since knob moves up and down, its direction of movement coincides with that of movement of the performers finger in striking manual keyboard 0. Accordingly, the performer can in natural manner instantly move his finger from the keyboard to knob 4- to manipulate it. Further, since knob 4 can be simply manipulated by pushing down or up with one finger, one knob can be manipulated with one finger of one hand, while several knobs can also be manipulated simultaneously with the other fingers of the same hand.

Furthermore, the movement of knob 4 causes movement of a sliding member, which moves on a resistance element such as a carbon film, by a mechanism to be described more fully hereinafter, so that the resistance value from one end of the resistance element to the sliding member is determined by the position of knob As is well known, levels of audio tone signals can be controlled by this resistance value. Thus, by observing the relative position of the knob, one can visually determine the intensity of each tone color.

Referring to FIG. 2, it can be seen that when knob 4 is positioned at its upper limit, the resistance value from one end of the resistance to the sliding member is so maintained to make the level of the audio signal zero. The

knob is so arranged such that in lower positions of the knob, the resistance value continuously decreases in relation with the increase of level of audible tone signals. The mixing ratios of three tone colors designated as BRASS, REED and STRING in FIG. 2 respectively are thus as follows, providing that the ratio of the change of resistance in response to movement of knob is proper. The sound intensity of the BRASS is zero, the STRING intensity is maximum. and the REED intensity is intermediate the maximum and minimum therefor.

In cases as shown in FIG. 2, wherein several knobs are provided in a horizontal line on control panel 1, the relative unevenness of the knob positions can be easily determined merely at a glance. Accordingly, the performer can visually establish an approximate mixing ratio of tone colors merely at a glance of the control panel during the performance.

FIG. 3 shows a method of attaching a tone color controller, including a variable resistor 5, in accordance with this invention, to control panel 1. On the back side of the control panel is provided a groove 6. A clip '7 made of elastic material is secured to the back of control panel with a screw 8. A groove 9 in control panel I serves to easily position the clip 7 with one end thereof inserted in groove 9. The variable resistor with a projection portion 10 inserted under the clip 7 is fixed with a screw I3 through a hole I2 provided in another projection 11. The projection 11 is tapered towards its end as shown in FIG. 3 for easy insertion between control panel I and the clip '7 and the projection 11 has a ridge I4 on its surface facing control panel I.

As shown in FIG. 4, clips 7 is raised by projection 10 and is elastically deformed while at the same time clip '7 elastically supports projection 10. Then variable resistor 5 is exactly positioned by the ridge 14 in groove 6. Thus it is possible to position in place a simple mechanism by a simple operation.

When a self-tapping screw 15 shown in FIG. 3 is removed, a cover 16 is opened and the interior of the tone color controller is exposed showing the variable resistor as seen in FIG. 4. Manipulating lever 2 is integrated with hearing portion 17 and rotating arm 18. Into case 19 formed of electrically insulating material such as synthetic resin, there is inserted shaft 20 with which bearing portion 17 is engaged. Wall surface ZI of the case 19 is circularly curved around the shaft 20 as a center. Inside along the circumferential curved face is provided a stepped portion in the notched portion of which is provided a film resistance such as carbon film resistance material or the like 22, while at the end of rotating arm 13 is fixed slider 24 secured to element 23. Said carbon film resistance 22 is electrically connected with terminals 27, 28 through the medium of metal clips 25, 26. Slider Z4 is electrically connected with terminal 31 through the medium of metal clip 23, lead wire 29 and clip Sil. To the pivotally supported arm 18 is secured a rubber ring 32 of proper hardness which comes into contact with projecting portions 33, provided in case 19 at the limit positions of the lever 2. Hole 35 is provided for accommodating self-tapping screw 15 for fitting cover 16 in place. When manipulating lever 2 is moved from the upper limit to the lower limit, rotating arm 13 rotates with shaft 24) as the center, so that slider 24- fixed at the end of the rotating arm slides on carbon film resistance 22 from the lower limit to the upper limit. Accordingly, the electrical resistance between terminals 27, 31 can be changed continuously from a maximum to a minimum. In addition, since in the upper and lower limit position the projecting portions 33, 34 provided in case 19 contact rubber ring 32, there is not produced a mechanical sound to interfere with the performance, even for rapid manipulation of knob 4. The wall surface 21 of case 19 is provided with steps 36, 3'7 and the length between 36 and 37 is arranged to be equal to the length of carbon film resistance 22 to be inserted. Thus, merely by inserting carbon film resistance 22, it can be compressed against wall surface 21.

Furthermore, said resistance can be easily replaced. In order to increase the flexibility of the lead wire, thin wire wound in a coil is used and in order to increase the elasticity of insulating tube 38, an insulating fibrous fabric is employed. The carbon film resistance 22 is elastically compressed by metal clip 26 which is riveted to terminal 28 by rivet 39 and by clip similarly secured to terminal 27. Lead wire 29 is soldered to slider element 23 and clip 30.

Now, with reference to FIG. 5, the method for securing knob 4 to manipulating lever 2 will be explained. Metal manipulating lever 2 is formed at the end in the curved shape as shown in the drawing. When it is pushed into hole 41 provided in knob 4 made of synthetic resin, the curved portion at the end of the lever is elastically deformed in accordance with the hole in knob and thereby made straight. Thus the projecting portion 40 of manipu lating lever 2 is compressed against wall surface of hole 41 of the knob. Thereby the edge 42 of the manipulating lever tends to be thrust against the wall surface of hole 41. Thus the lever can be secured by means of a simple mechanism and a simple operation.

FIG. 6 shows in perspective rotating arm 18 from which rubber ring 32 is removed to make clear how slider 24 is fixed to rotating arm 18.

In order to insulate parts of the slider which are made of metal, slider 24 is fixed to insulating member 43 prepared in the form of a heat-contractive vinyl tube, and metal shell 23 is fixed in a manner as shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a sectional View taken on line 7-7 of FIG. 6. By so arranging the notched portion 44 of rotating arm 18 to engage tightly with holding arm 45 of shell 23, the fitting position of the slider is automatically established, which makes the securing operation efiicient.

Furthermore, slider 24 is preliminarily riveted to element 23. As shown in FIG. 5, plate spring 47, riveted to rotating arm 18, has at the end a spherical projection 48 which is urged against the bottom wall surface 49 of case 19. Plate spacer 50, formed as a spherical surface, and spring washer 51, formed in an are, are assembled as shown in the drawing in the recessed seat 52 and the cover 16 is tightly secured to case 19 by means of self-tapping screw 15. Thus any chattering of bearing 17 in the thrust direction is absorbed so as to achieve smooth and quiet operation of manipulation lever and at the same time the projecting portion 48 of plate spring 47 is securely urged against bottom wall surface 49 of case 19. The projecting portion 48 moves in a circumferential arc around shaft 20 upon rotation of the rotating arm 18 so that the locus of the contact point on bottom wall surface 49 is a circumferential curve. FIG. 8 is a developed sectional view taken along curved surface 8-8 (FIG. 5.) As shown herein, there are several equally divided recesses between the end recesses. The recesses are in the form of V-shaped grooves 53a, Thus, when projecting spherical surface 48 reaches an end of groove 53, the surface 48 tends to seek the center of groove 53. Once it reaches the center position of groove 53, the surface 48 tends to stay there. Such action is called a click action. With such a built-in device, when the manipulating lever is manipulated, the operator can feel a resistance to displacement at the upper limit, the lower limit and the intermediate location. Accordingly, by the feel of the hand the position of the slider can be roughly determined. In addition, by applying proper lubricating material on the locus path of projecting spherical surface 48, sliding can be smoothly performed.

What is claimed is:

1. A tone color controller for an electric organ including a casing constituted of electrically insulative material, the organ having a control panel provided with slits, said casing being adapted for being attached to one side of the control panel, said casing including a side wall comprising a projection, a ridge on said projection, a clip secured to the said one side of the control panel, said projection being held between said clip and the said one side of the control panel, said panel being provided with a groove in which is accommodated said ridge, means in said casing for controlling the tone color of the sound produced by said organ, control members for the latter means projecting through respective slits in the control panel and adjustable in position in the slits according to the position of securing of a casing, and a further projection on the casing remote from the first said projection and means for detachably securing the further projection to the control panel.

2. A tone color control device for an electronic organ having a slanting control panel, tone color controllers and clips on the back of said panel, each of said controllers being a variable resistor with a manipulating lever, said controller including a casing of electrically insulating material, said casing including a side wall adapted to be attached to said panel, said side Wall having first and second projections extending in opposite directions, said first projection tapering toward its end and including a ridge on its side facing said panel, said second projection having a hole in which a fastener may be inserted to secure said projection to said panel, said panel being provided with slits through which said manipulating levers project, said panel also being provided with a groove on its back in which is engaged said ridge on said first projection of the controller, said clips respectively corresponding to each of said controllers and being adapted to hold said first projection of the associated controller between said clip and said panel.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,049,616 8/1936 Lilja 84-1.27 XR 2,513,109 6/1950 Roth 841.19 2,699,085 l/l955 Zuck 84l.19

ARTHUR GAUSS, Primary Examiner. 

2. A TONE COLOR CONTROL DEVICE FOR AN ELECTRONIC ORGAN HAVING A SLANTING CONTROL PANEL, TONE COLOR CONTROLLERS SAID CLIPS ON THE BACK OF SAID PANEL, EACH OF SAID CONTROLLERS BEING A VARIABLE RESISTOR WITH A MANIPULATING LEVER, SAID CONTROLLER INCLUDING A CASING OF ELECTRICALLY INSULATING MATERIAL, SAID CASING INCLUDING A SIDE WALL ADAPTED TO BE ATTACHED TO SAID PANEL, SAID SIDE WALL HAVING FIRST AND SECOND PROJECTIONS EXTENDING IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS, SAID FIRST PROJECTION TAPERING TOWARD ITS END AND INCLUDING A RIDGE ON ITS SIDE FACING SAID PANEL, SAID SECOND PROJECTION HAVING A HOLE IN WHICH A FASTENER MAY BE INSERTED TO SECURE SAID PROJECTION TO SAID PANEL, SAID PANEL BEING PROVIDED WITH SLITS THROUGH WHICH SAID MANIPULATING LEVERS PROJECT, SAID PANEL ALSO BEING PROVIDED WITH A GROOVE ON ITS BACK IN WHICH IS ENGAGED SAID RIDGE ON SAID FIRST PROJECTION OF THE CONTROLLER, SAID CLIPS RESPECTIVELY CORRESPONDING TO EACH OF SAID CONTROLLERS AND BEING ADAPTED TO HOLD SAID FIRST PROJECTION OF THE ASSOCIATED CONTROLLER BETWEEN SAID CLIP AND SAID PANEL. 